Enterobiasis (oxyuriasis) is a disease caused by pinworms in the human large intestine. It has a high incidence rate in children and is easily transmitted within families and child group settings. Infection occurs through contact with contaminated hands or objects carrying worm eggs, or through self-reinfection after initial infection.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

Most children show no obvious symptoms. Only when the female worms crawl out to lay eggs around the anus do they experience cutaneous pruritus in the anal or perineal region, leading to restless sleep, enuresis, or leg-crossing and rubbing movements. Pinworms can be found near the anus after the child falls asleep at night. (2) Laboratory Examination Diagnosis is confirmed upon detection of eggs or adult worms. Eggs are rarely found in feces. Instead, a cotton swab or glass rod can be used to wipe the folds around the anus, and the collected material can then be washed off and smeared onto a glass slide for microscopic examination of pinworm eggs.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

﹝Treatment﹞

(1) General Care The lifespan of pinworms is 1 to 2 months, and they can self-recover if not reinfected. Therefore, attention should be paid to personal hygiene: keep nails short, maintain hand cleanliness, correct finger-sucking habits, and wash hands before meals and after using the toilet; change and wash underwear and bedding frequently. When the infection is severe, steaming or boiling can be used to kill pinworm eggs. (2) Medication for Deworming The following medications can be selected.

1. Piperazine Citrate (Anthelmintic) The dose is 50mg/kg per day, with a single dose not exceeding 2g, taken once before bedtime for 7 to 10 consecutive days. To prevent reinfection, continue taking the original dose twice a week for 4 weeks after the initial treatment. 2. Albendazole The dose is 200mg per dose, administered once as a single draught. To prevent reinfection, take another 100–200mg per dose one week later. Note: Contraindicated for children under 2 years old.
2. Pyrvinium Pamoate The dose is 5mg/kg per dose, administered once before bedtime as a single draught. To prevent recurrence, take 1–2 more doses every 2–3 weeks. This medication can turn stool bright red and may stain clothing or bedding. Oral tablets should not be chewed.
3. Stilbazium Iodide The dose is 5mg/kg per dose, administered once before bedtime as a single draught. Enteric-coated tablets can be taken, with fewer side effects. This medication can also turn stool red.
4. Pyrantel Pamoate The dose is 10mg/kg per dose, administered once daily as a single draught for 2 consecutive days. 6. Mebendazole The dose is 200mg per dose, administered once as a single draught. If necessary, another dose can be taken after 2 weeks.
5. Local Treatment After each bowel movement, wash the anus with warm water and then apply 2% ammoniated mercury ointment or 1% zinc oxide ointment to relieve itching and reduce the risk of self-reinfection. Pinworm ointment can also be injected into the rectum to relieve itching and kill worms.

bubble_chart Prevention

(1) Thoroughly treat patients, including those in households and collective childcare institutions, to eliminate mutual infection.

(2) Conduct health education to strengthen personal hygiene, dietary hygiene, and environmental hygiene.